Determining the postârelease mortality rate and best capture and ...
Determining the post‐release mortality rate and best capture and handling methods for haddock discarded in Gulf of Maine recreational fisheries
John Mandelman; Connor Capizzano; Doug Zemeckis; Micah Dean; Bill Hoffman; Nate Ribblett; Hugues Benoît; Nick Buchan; James Sulikowski; Steve Cadrin
Photo credit: Isaac Benaka
Background
• Team mixed vast expertise (acoustic telemetry, recreational groundfish fisheries, and tactical/analytical methods to investigate discard mortality • Recently funded studies on cod and cusk in this fishery
Recreational Groundfish Fishery
Primary Species
For‐Hire Vessels Head/party boats
Charter boats
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Haddock
Private Vessels
(Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Pollock – “Saithe” (Pollachius virens)
Gulf of Maine Haddock • Recreational haddock catches ranged from 29% to 68% of total annual removals [by weight] over last decade Recreational discards Recreational landings Commercial discards Commercial landings
NEFSC (2014)
Recreational fisheries management and discard mortality • Increasing number of groundfish discards in recent years due to shifting management measures • Discard mortality (DM) assumption influences possession and size limits, among other reg. factors • Assumes 50% discard mortality rate for haddock in recreational fishery • But…NO DIRECTED DISCARD MORTALITY RESEARCH
Study objectives
1. Estimate longitudinal haddock DM in this fishery 2. Establish optimal catch‐ and‐release guidelines
Methods
Field protocols • Haddock captured using standardized rod‐and‐reel setups and rigs • Range of angler experience levels employed (n = 75 anglers; 1:1 tackle split in effort/trip)
Methods
Field protocols • All capture‐related variables recorded (i.e. biological, environmental, and technical) • Injury score index applied
2
1 3
4
Methods Study Design 1. Large scale indexing of haddock haddock 2. Telemetry to validate index in subsample 3. Use index to estimate mortality on large scale to develop best capture and handling methods
variables
?
n=156 n=2,442
Sample
Subsample
Mortality ???
Fishery-scale DM estimate
dead alive
Estimate DM
???
Best capture-andhandling methods
???
Methods
April – October 2015
Methods
Discerning live vs. dead haddock: Original Approach
Tide‐adjusted depth (m)
• Mortality algorithm; uses vertical movements (V9P, V13P tags; 3 negative controls)
Methods
Discerning live vs. dead haddock: Revised Approach • Discriminant function: finds differences between the vertical and horizontal movement of positive and negative control haddock. Positive (i.e. known alive)
n = 13
Negative (i.e. known dead)
n=3
Methods
Discerning live vs. dead haddock: Revised Approach • Discriminant function is applied to post‐release detection intervals for each fish to determine if and when a mortality occurred
Methods
Analytical methods Combining survival and fishery‐dependent data
Survival model results
Fishery‐level DM estimate *weighted average
MRIP surveys
Results
Terminal tackle catch rates Handling 59 sec
Handling 69 sec
Results
Injury score observations
Higher foul‐hooking rate (16X), and rate and severity of injury when haddock caught by jig
Results
Survival Analyses: Preliminary results from revised analysis
• All mortality within first three days • Unlike previous analysis, no M evident
Results
Survival Analyses: Preliminary results from revised analysis
variables
Mortality
• Season and TL still influence survival
TOY
TL
Results
Tag emigration
• 113 recaptures to date (4.6% return rate in 17‐23 months tags have been at liberty)
Results
DM estimate: Results from original analysis With survival results for each season and length class: Small
Medium
Large Spring
Estimated DM rate Fall
56.4% DM rate Small
Medium
Large
Estimated 2015 MRIP total haddock discards
Spring Fall
Results
Newly accessible MRIP length data of haddock discards
Discussion/conclusions: from original analysis/results • As projected, injury severity & rate higher for jig • Haddock size, season sig predictors of DM Smaller haddock = higher DM in the fall (time/area closures?) • Mort lower than 50%?
Industry involvement • Industry collaborators crucial to all phases, and authenticity of results • Primarily driven by desire for reliable data to inform management • Support from recreational fishing industry • Project has benefited from open dialogue between scientists, industry partners, and fishery managers
Latest management applicability • 50% DM assumption still employed but not yet validated, DM rate influences more than just haddock… • Policy options are quite sensitive to DM estimates. The bioeconomic model could be re‐parameterized and rerun for the 2018 fishing year (Lee at al., 2017) • Possible inclusion of GOM haddock for 2017 SAW (DM update akin to cod?)
Next Steps • Finalize survival models, and scale to the fishery (MRIP) • Establish optimal fishing and handling practices • To apply results, continue engaging management, industry, etc. • Auxiliary datasets
Acknowledgements • • • • • • •
Funding provided by the New England Fishery Management Council via the Northeast Consortium, as well as the NOAA Saltonstall‐Kennedy Grant Program Captain Les Eastman and the captains, mates and staff of Eastman’s Docks in Seabrook, NH Captain Thomas Orrell and the captains, mates and staff of the Yankee Fleet in Gloucester, MA Steve de Neef (photos) Dr. Mike Armstrong (MADMF) Numerous volunteer anglers who helped with the field work This study was sanctioned by the New England Aquarium’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Protocol #2015‐06)
Photo credit: Isaac Benaka
Notable outreach to date: GOM recreational fishing community and general public • • • •
8pg article in On the Water magazine (Oct 2015) Article in 2016 Mass Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide AP piece that was picked up by >90 outlets nationwide Other articles in Cape Cod Time, Gloucester Times, Saving Seafood blog, NEAQ blogs • Featuring photographs taken by professional marine wildlife photographer/videographer, Steve de Neef
Notable outreach to date: Scientific community and management bodies • • • •
Presented in Science-Industry Partnerships theme session at ICES Annual Science Conference, 2015 Presentation in symposium for DM and its estimation at the 2016 American Fisheries Society’s Annual Meeting Regular communication on project progress with members of NEFMC Ongoing educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students at surrounding universities and colleges including: -Spatial ecology of haddock -Understanding angler motivations and behavior in this fishery
Future Outreach •
• • • • • • • • •
Distribute results to NEFMC and various divisions in NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office and Northeast Fisheries Science Center Peer-reviewed publication in ICES Journal of Marine Science Presentation at two international conferences Second article in On The Water magazine Presence the upcoming New England Saltwater Fishing Show 2018 MADMF Saltwater Guide MADMF and NEAq websites/social media Online message boards Presentation at Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association and other regional clubs Distribute results using existing industry collaborations (Eastman’s, Yankee) and other for-hire vessels and websites
DM estimate: Results from original analysis With survival results for each season and length class: Spring (Apr‐Jun)
Fall (Jul‐Oct)
≤40
41‐50
50+
≤40
41‐50
50+
31%
15%
11%
7%
13%
5%
78%
60%
52%
43%
24%
8%
Estimated DM rate
. %
Estimated 2015 MRIP total haddock discards
John Mandelman; Connor Capizzano; Doug Zemeckis; Micah Dean; Bill Hoffman; Nate Ribblett; Hugues Benoît; Nick Buchan; James Sulikowski; Steve Cadrin
Photo credit: Isaac Benaka
Background
• Team mixed vast expertise (acoustic telemetry, recreational groundfish fisheries, and tactical/analytical methods to investigate discard mortality • Recently funded studies on cod and cusk in this fishery
Recreational Groundfish Fishery
Primary Species
For‐Hire Vessels Head/party boats
Charter boats
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Haddock
Private Vessels
(Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
Pollock – “Saithe” (Pollachius virens)
Gulf of Maine Haddock • Recreational haddock catches ranged from 29% to 68% of total annual removals [by weight] over last decade Recreational discards Recreational landings Commercial discards Commercial landings
NEFSC (2014)
Recreational fisheries management and discard mortality • Increasing number of groundfish discards in recent years due to shifting management measures • Discard mortality (DM) assumption influences possession and size limits, among other reg. factors • Assumes 50% discard mortality rate for haddock in recreational fishery • But…NO DIRECTED DISCARD MORTALITY RESEARCH
Study objectives
1. Estimate longitudinal haddock DM in this fishery 2. Establish optimal catch‐ and‐release guidelines
Methods
Field protocols • Haddock captured using standardized rod‐and‐reel setups and rigs • Range of angler experience levels employed (n = 75 anglers; 1:1 tackle split in effort/trip)
Methods
Field protocols • All capture‐related variables recorded (i.e. biological, environmental, and technical) • Injury score index applied
2
1 3
4
Methods Study Design 1. Large scale indexing of haddock haddock 2. Telemetry to validate index in subsample 3. Use index to estimate mortality on large scale to develop best capture and handling methods
variables
?
n=156 n=2,442
Sample
Subsample
Mortality ???
Fishery-scale DM estimate
dead alive
Estimate DM
???
Best capture-andhandling methods
???
Methods
April – October 2015
Methods
Discerning live vs. dead haddock: Original Approach
Tide‐adjusted depth (m)
• Mortality algorithm; uses vertical movements (V9P, V13P tags; 3 negative controls)
Methods
Discerning live vs. dead haddock: Revised Approach • Discriminant function: finds differences between the vertical and horizontal movement of positive and negative control haddock. Positive (i.e. known alive)
n = 13
Negative (i.e. known dead)
n=3
Methods
Discerning live vs. dead haddock: Revised Approach • Discriminant function is applied to post‐release detection intervals for each fish to determine if and when a mortality occurred
Methods
Analytical methods Combining survival and fishery‐dependent data
Survival model results
Fishery‐level DM estimate *weighted average
MRIP surveys
Results
Terminal tackle catch rates Handling 59 sec
Handling 69 sec
Results
Injury score observations
Higher foul‐hooking rate (16X), and rate and severity of injury when haddock caught by jig
Results
Survival Analyses: Preliminary results from revised analysis
• All mortality within first three days • Unlike previous analysis, no M evident
Results
Survival Analyses: Preliminary results from revised analysis
variables
Mortality
• Season and TL still influence survival
TOY
TL
Results
Tag emigration
• 113 recaptures to date (4.6% return rate in 17‐23 months tags have been at liberty)
Results
DM estimate: Results from original analysis With survival results for each season and length class: Small
Medium
Large Spring
Estimated DM rate Fall
56.4% DM rate Small
Medium
Large
Estimated 2015 MRIP total haddock discards
Spring Fall
Results
Newly accessible MRIP length data of haddock discards
Discussion/conclusions: from original analysis/results • As projected, injury severity & rate higher for jig • Haddock size, season sig predictors of DM Smaller haddock = higher DM in the fall (time/area closures?) • Mort lower than 50%?
Industry involvement • Industry collaborators crucial to all phases, and authenticity of results • Primarily driven by desire for reliable data to inform management • Support from recreational fishing industry • Project has benefited from open dialogue between scientists, industry partners, and fishery managers
Latest management applicability • 50% DM assumption still employed but not yet validated, DM rate influences more than just haddock… • Policy options are quite sensitive to DM estimates. The bioeconomic model could be re‐parameterized and rerun for the 2018 fishing year (Lee at al., 2017) • Possible inclusion of GOM haddock for 2017 SAW (DM update akin to cod?)
Next Steps • Finalize survival models, and scale to the fishery (MRIP) • Establish optimal fishing and handling practices • To apply results, continue engaging management, industry, etc. • Auxiliary datasets
Acknowledgements • • • • • • •
Funding provided by the New England Fishery Management Council via the Northeast Consortium, as well as the NOAA Saltonstall‐Kennedy Grant Program Captain Les Eastman and the captains, mates and staff of Eastman’s Docks in Seabrook, NH Captain Thomas Orrell and the captains, mates and staff of the Yankee Fleet in Gloucester, MA Steve de Neef (photos) Dr. Mike Armstrong (MADMF) Numerous volunteer anglers who helped with the field work This study was sanctioned by the New England Aquarium’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Protocol #2015‐06)
Photo credit: Isaac Benaka
Notable outreach to date: GOM recreational fishing community and general public • • • •
8pg article in On the Water magazine (Oct 2015) Article in 2016 Mass Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide AP piece that was picked up by >90 outlets nationwide Other articles in Cape Cod Time, Gloucester Times, Saving Seafood blog, NEAQ blogs • Featuring photographs taken by professional marine wildlife photographer/videographer, Steve de Neef
Notable outreach to date: Scientific community and management bodies • • • •
Presented in Science-Industry Partnerships theme session at ICES Annual Science Conference, 2015 Presentation in symposium for DM and its estimation at the 2016 American Fisheries Society’s Annual Meeting Regular communication on project progress with members of NEFMC Ongoing educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students at surrounding universities and colleges including: -Spatial ecology of haddock -Understanding angler motivations and behavior in this fishery
Future Outreach •
• • • • • • • • •
Distribute results to NEFMC and various divisions in NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office and Northeast Fisheries Science Center Peer-reviewed publication in ICES Journal of Marine Science Presentation at two international conferences Second article in On The Water magazine Presence the upcoming New England Saltwater Fishing Show 2018 MADMF Saltwater Guide MADMF and NEAq websites/social media Online message boards Presentation at Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association and other regional clubs Distribute results using existing industry collaborations (Eastman’s, Yankee) and other for-hire vessels and websites
DM estimate: Results from original analysis With survival results for each season and length class: Spring (Apr‐Jun)
Fall (Jul‐Oct)
≤40
41‐50
50+
≤40
41‐50
50+
31%
15%
11%
7%
13%
5%
78%
60%
52%
43%
24%
8%
Estimated DM rate
. %
Estimated 2015 MRIP total haddock discards
